Duck Camp: why “we love it”

BY HAELEY CARPENTER / Managing Editor

Another fall semester brings another summer full of Duck Camps and orientations. Tarleton State University has had record breaking numbers for the past five years when it comes to incoming freshmen.

Duck Camp and orientations are incoming students' first real look at what Tarleton is. They learn about history and traditions and make friends through competitions and activities like Waddle Olympics, group chants, swimming, Yell contest. They spend three days completely surrounded in the spirit of the purple and white and get excited for their first year of college.

Sophomore Wyatt Spivey loved his Duck Camp experience so much that he became a Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM).

Spivey attended three Duck Camps this summer and had a total of 38 baby ducks, working alongside other TTM’s including Ella McMahon, Jensyn Evens and Jayci Howard. Spivey and his camp partners were able to teach the incoming freshman about Tarleton and spread the spirit of the purple and white.

“My favorite chant or cheer at Duck Camp is probably ‘Hey Campers,’” Spivey said. “I love this chant because it has a good rhythm which campers and leaders alike can get into and do get into.”

The energy at Duck Camps is like no other. If students attend Duck Camp then they will never forget how it feels to be bonding and making friends with other campers and screaming the words to the Yell Chants and learning and spreading so much Tarleton spirit.

“Everyone really gets into it, especially if the group of campers is extremely energetic,” Spivey said. “The theme night dances show this clearly. But usually by day 3 you can expect everyone to be participating in chants and cheers and most if not, all campers are standing on chairs in the dining hall.”

The spring semester before Duck Camp, all TTM’s take a class specifically to get ready for Duck Camps and orientations. Spivey worked all 13 of the summer orientations.

On the third day of Duck Camp 4, Spivey had stopped to take it all in.

“I realized that nothing is ever guaranteed and that I was blessed to be a part of this program and to have met as many wonderful Tarleton Texans as I have but I also realized that this could be the end, next year is never promised,” Spivey said. 

Although he doesn’t miss the experience of being a baby duck. He believes that being a TTM and watching campers make the same memories that he made, like competing in the Waddle Olympics and competing in Yell Contest, is much more fulfilling.

Spivey is excited to see these students on campus.

“This incoming class of freshmen is super energetic but they are more importantly genuine people,” Spivey said. “Even some of the rowdier freshmen were able to make meaningful conversations and showed that they are amazing people.”

The campers themselves told Spivey that they are excited to become a part of the Tarleton family.